The Senate is expected to vote on its version of the Big Brutal Bill this week and—like its House counterpart—it’s devastating for nutrition and health care programs for vulnerable communities.
The Senate proposal includes the largest cut to SNAP in history, as part of a budget package that guts basic needs programs.
The bill also contains the largest cuts to Medicaid in history, and will result in 16 million people losing their health insurance. A recent analysis of the House-passed bill found that because of the cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and reduced staffing requirements at nursing homes, 51,000 people will die each year.
Additionally, according to the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as many as 330 rural hospitals nationwide could close or reduce services as a result of this bill. And, new research shows that cuts to Medicaid along with SNAP will reduce jobs by 1.2 million nationwide, equivalent to about a 0.8% increase in the unemployment rate.
Cutting the heart out of basic needs programs including SNAP and Medicaid doesn’t save states or the federal government money—it denies care and creates bigger problems down the road, shifting the burden to service providers, local governments, and taxpayers. This will lead to higher costs and more strain on budgets—household and state budgets alike. And it will cost lives.
It’s not too late to change course. Now more than ever, it’s critical that the Senate act to protect health care, nutrition, and other essential services that help millions of families meet their basic needs. We should strengthen support for these programs—not take them away
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This is a bill that will take food and health care away from millions to pay for tax breaks that benefit the rich and corporations, and to increase ICE spending to detain and deport immigrants.
Families and communities will feel the compounding impact of cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and other health assistance along with other basic needs programs – making the combined budget package even more reckless.
By denying people affordable health care, this bill threatens the safety and well-being of communities, states, and the entire country.
A wealthy couple could leave $29.99 million to their heirs in 2026 without paying a cent of estate tax.
The GOP takes direct aim at Medicare, gutting eligibility and restricting access to benefits, while also cutting Medicaid in ways that would harm people who are dually eligible for both programs.
If enacted, this would be the largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in a single law in U.S. history.
Editor’s note: Based on remarks by Deborah Weinstein, CHN’s Executive Director, during the Virtual Rally reaching thousands of people, 5/19/25. Here’s what the House budget bill does: If you have $4.3 million or more in annual income, next year you’ll gain an average of $390,000 in tax breaks. If you’ve…
These proposals will deepen income inequality and reward wealthy Americans and corporations at a time when everyday Americans are struggling.
President Trump and his allies in Congress seem to think average people are awash in excess – too many pencils! SNAP nutrition benefits that are too generous! Medicaid and Affordable Care Act coverage that’s too easy to get!
The House Energy and Commerce proposal will cut $715 billion from Medicaid, the largest cut to Medicaid in history, as part of a budget package that guts basic needs programs.
The House Agriculture Committee proposal will cut $290 billion from SNAP, the largest cut to SNAP in history, as part of a budget package that guts basic needs programs. Millions are at risk of losing SNAP.
Editor’s note: The following news release was published by the National Urban League, and was revised on May 12, 2025. WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 10, 2025) — The National Urban League today launched the Fair Budget Coalition, a new alliance of civil rights leaders, economic justice advocates, and policy experts demanding a responsible…